Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Hazard NC Class IV+

Takeout Rapid (not the takeout)

Cheoah - Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch (NC)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco, NC Downstream Primary
Runnable: 400.0 – 3,000.0 CFS
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Takeout Rapid (not the takeout)
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

Immediately after Wilma's Ledge, the road pulls away from the Cheoah for really the only time. Strainers fill the eddies and directly below lies one of the Cheoah's toughest and longest rapids. Takeout, named in honor of many early Cheoah pioneers who ended their day early here.

Takeout is difficult to scout due to the brush lined banks that are littered with poison ivy.

Huge holes abound here. One of the large river left holes at the top of the rapid has a bad piton/pin rock to be avoided. On the bottom right is a large boulder that sends you toward larger holes.

Once the trees are removed, at normal levels it should rate a solid 4, and easy class 5 above 1500. Around 1800 it kicks up to solid class 5.

In any case, be sure to scout this one before you launch; otherwise, it may force you to "takeout" after being thoroughly hammered. At the bottom right of the rapid there is a good spot to exit the river, usually marked by a plethora of on duty rescue folks.

Location
Type
Hazard
Difficulty
Class IV+
Mile Marker
3.1 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Santeetlah Dam to Calderwood Lake Boat Launch
Cheoah
IV-V 9.1 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution in this area.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater